Exercise system and method

ABSTRACT

An exerciser includes a frame assembly, and a movable user support disposed on the frame assembly. The movable user support is constructed and arranged to support an exercising person and allow the exercising person to move while in supported relation on the movable user support, with an extremity of the exercising person free to be moved with respect to the movable user support. The exerciser also includes a ballet barre assembly. The ballet barre assembly includes a ballet barre positioned to be engaged by the extremity of the exercising person supported on the movable user support, and support structure configured to support the ballet barre at a fixed position that is at least 60 centimeters above a plane of movement for the movable user support. An attachment including the ballet barre assembly, and an associated method of exercising, are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to methods of exercising and to exerciseapparatuses for carrying out those methods.

One of the consistent challenges in the fitness industry is devisingexercise methods and apparatuses that allow the user to achieve maximum,diverse fitness effects by performing exercises in comfortablepositions. For example, a type or set of exercises may be particularlyattractive and beneficial to the user if it provides strengthening,toning and cardiovascular benefits.

A popular type of exercise equipment provides a carriage mounted on atrack for sliding or rolling movement along the track. Depending on theparticular variation, the carriage may be connected to a resistancesystem including one or more resilient members, such as springs orbungee cords, (or alternatively, gravity) which bias the carriagetowards a particular position. The carriage may also be connected topull cords that are trained over a pulley system, allowing the user tomove the carriage by pulling the pull lines. The user exercises withsuch an apparatus by using the arms or legs to move the carriage alongthe tracks. Sliding-carriage multi-function exercise equipment of thistype typically includes a foot rest, foot bar, trampoline, pedal, orother structure against which the user can push off.

The present disclosure relates to a versatile exerciser and method ofuse.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, an exerciser includes a frame assembly, anda movable user support disposed on the frame assembly, constructed andarranged to support an exercising person and allow the exercising personto move while in supported relation on the movable user support, with anextremity of the exercising person free to be moved with respect to themovable user support. The exerciser also includes a ballet barreassembly. The ballet barre assembly includes a ballet barre positionedto be engaged by the extremity of the exercising person supported on themovable user support, and support structure configured to support theballet barre at a fixed position that is at least 60 centimeters above aplane of movement for the movable user support.

According to another embodiment, an attachment is for an exerciser ofthe type including a movable user support disposed on a frame assemblyand constructed and arranged to support an exercising person and allowthe exercising person to move while in supported relation on the movableuser support, with an extremity of the exercising person free to bemoved with respect to the movable user support, and a mounting structuredisposed on the frame assembly. The mounting structure of the exerciseris constructed and arranged to detachably mount the attachment to theframe structure. The attachment includes a ballet barre positioned to beengaged by the extremity of the exercising person supported on themovable user support. The attachment also includes support structureconfigured to support the ballet barre at a fixed position that is atleast 60 centimeters above a plane of movement for the movable usersupport.

According to another embodiment, a method of enabling a person toexercise includes providing a movable user support which supports anexercising person and allows the exercising person to move while insupported relation on the movable user support, with an extremity of theexercising person free to be moved with respect to the movable usersupport. The method also includes providing a ballet barre spaced fromsaid movable user support in a position to be engaged by the extremityof the exercising person supported on the movable user support. Theballet barre is configured to be supported by a ballet barre assembly ata fixed position that is at least 60 centimeters above a plane ofmovement for the movable user support. Movement of the movable usersupport is either in a first direction towards the ballet barre, or in asecond direction away from the ballet barre.

Other aspects of the inventive concept will become apparent from thefollowing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described with reference to the followingdrawings, in which like numerals represent like features throughout thefigures, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exerciser having a balletbar assembly including a ballet bar, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the exerciser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the foot end of theexerciser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts fragmentary side elevational views of various embodimentsof the ballet bar;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the exerciser having another embodimentof the ballet barre assembly;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a side perspective view of the exerciser of FIG. 5,depicting a user performing a first exercise thereon;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a side perspective view of the exerciser of FIG. 5,depicting a user performing a second exercise thereon;

FIG. 8 is a reduced perspective view of the exerciser having anotherembodiment of the ballet barre assembly;

FIG. 9 is a reduced perspective view of the exerciser having anotherembodiment of the ballet barre assembly; and

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an exerciser having a pair ofballet bar assemblies, according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exerciser, generally indicated at 10,according to one embodiment of the invention. The exerciser 10 includesa frame assembly, generally indicated at 12, a movable user support,generally indicated at 14, disposed on the frame assembly 12 in aposition to support the seat and back of the user in a position whichallows the body of the user while in supported relation to move with themovable user support 14 with the feet of the user free to be supportedwith respect to the movable user support 14, and a ballet barreassembly, generally indicated at 16, constructed and arranged to bemounted on the frame assembly 12 in a position to be engaged by the feetof the user while movably supported on the movable user support 14. Themovable user support 14 and frame assembly 12 can generally be of thetype disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,805 or 7,901,338, each of which isincorporated by reference in their entirety. Other components describedand illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,805 or 7,901,338 can also be usedin the present invention, as will be appreciated by those skilled in theart.

The frame assembly 12 includes a frame 18, which is adapted to supportthe movable user support 14, with the user supported thereon. In someembodiments, the frame 18 may be positioned on a stand 20, which isadapted to connect to the frame 18 to hold the frame 18 in a generallyhorizontal plane above a support surface on which the exerciser 10 ispositioned. As is shown in FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view of theexerciser 10, the stand 20 comprises a plurality of legs 22 connected atrespective upper ends thereof by cross bars 24, such that the standportion 20 is comprised of generally rectangular or trapezoidal segmentshaving legs 22 disposed at the corners of the segments. In anembodiment, the plurality of legs 22 may raise the frame 18 above thesupport surface by some amount. End caps 26 of a rubber or othernon-skid material may be provided at support surface-contacting ends ofthe legs 22, which may additionally increase the height of the frame 18above the support surface. Upper receptacle sections 28 of the stand 20,which are adapted to receive corresponding mating structures provided onthe underside of the frame 18 (not shown in the Figures), so as tooperatively secure the frame 18 to the stand 20, may further increasethe height of the frame 18. Accordingly, the legs 22, end caps 26 and/orthe upper receptacle sections 28 of the stand 20 may be of any lengththat provides a convenient user height for the frame portion 18. Forexample, in an embodiment the stand 20 may be configured to raise theframe 18 above the support surface such that the top plane of themovable user support 14 is approximately 35-45 cm above the supportsurface. It may be appreciated, however, that in other embodiments thestand 20 may be taller or shorter.

Depending on the embodiment, the frame 18 and stand 20 may be separable,so that the exerciser 10 can be stored easily. Additionally, the stand20 may be omitted or sold separately, particularly if the heightprovided by the stand 20 is not required for the exercises that are tobe performed. Moreover, it may be desirable to construct the stand 20such that one end is wider than the other.

The frame 18 is comprised of two generally parallel support tracks 30,connected and braced by a number of cross members. Each of the supporttracks 30 has a generally C-shaped cross-section, such that each supporttrack 30 defines an interior track 32, in the shape of a channel, whichis adapted to receive engaging portions of the movable user support 14.The engaging portions of the movable user support 14 in this embodimentare rollers 33 (shown in phantom in FIG. 2) that rollingly engageinterior tracks 32. The rollers 33 are mounted to the underside of themovable user support 14 on appropriately-sized lateral projections, andallow the movable user support 14 to roll along the support tracks 30between limiting portions of the support tracks 30. The limitingportions of the support tracks 30 define the extent of travel for themovable user support 14. In some embodiments of the exerciser 10, one ofthe limiting portions may be a crossbar 34 that extends between the twosupport tracks 30; the other limiting portion may be defined by anendpiece 36 of the frame portion 18. Alternatively, the limitingportions may simply be the ends of the interior tracks 32 in the supporttracks 30.

Although rollers 33 are used in the illustrated embodiment, a number ofbearings and other movement support structures are known in the art, andany one of these known types of bearings may be used in place of therollers. For example, instead of rollers, blocks of low-frictionmaterial may be used, and the interior tracks 32 in the support tracks30 may be lubricated in order to facilitate sliding movement withreduced friction.

The support tracks 30 may be continuous bars that run the length of theexerciser, or they may be comprised of sets of shorter bars which aresecured together by welds or fasteners. As shown in FIG. 2, each supporttrack is comprised of two shorter support bars 38, 40. At one end, eachshorter support bar 38, 40 connects to an endpiece 36, 37 to form an endof the frame 18 of the exerciser 10. (The endpieces 36, 37 of theillustrated embodiments are bars covered with decorative plasticmoldings, but they may be made in other configurations.) At the otherends of the shorter support bars 38, 40, cooperating hinge structure 42is provided, such that the shorter support bars 38, 40 may be hingedlyconnected together in a manner which allows the exerciser 10 to befolded when not in use.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, the support tracks may havea substantially rectangular cross section, and a movable user supportwith rollers or other movement support structures may be configured soas to rest on top of the support tracks, rather than engaging insidetracks defined within them. The precise manner of engagement of themovable user support and the support tracks can be of variousconfigurations as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Several body-engaging components are mounted on the movable user support14 so as to facilitate the body positioning of the user for certainexercises. In an embodiment, two padded shoulder blocks 44, one on eachside of the movable user support 14, extend vertically, and arepositioned so as to engage the upper portion of the user's torso (i.e.,at the collarbone or shoulder region) when the user is lying prone orsupine on the movable user support 14, so as to prevent the user fromsliding relative to the movable user support 14 in a direction away fromthe ballet barre assembly 16. The shoulder blocks 44 may be removablyattached to the movable user support 14, for example, by a threadedconnection.

A padded head rest 46 may also be mounted on the movable user support14, so as to receive the head of a user when the user's torso ispositioned on the movable user support 14. In the position illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2, the head rest 46 is positioned such that itsuser-contacting surface is generally horizontal and co-planar with thoseof the movable user support 14. However, the head rest may be mounted ona multi-position bracket, such that its angular position may be adjustedrelative to that of the movable user support so as to support the user'shead in an inclined position. In addition to the head rest 46, usersupport pad 48 is mounted on the movable user support 14 so as to covera substantial portion of the movable user support 14 to provide tractionand comfort.

The exerciser 10 also carries a resilient resistance system coupled tothe movable user support 14. The crossbar 34 proximate to the footresthas several slots 60 formed in it. Each slot 60 in the crossbar 34 issized and adapted to accept one end of a tensile resilient resistanceelement 62. A bracket on the underside of the movable user support 14(not shown in the Figures) includes a corresponding set of slots 60,each slot 60 adapted to accept the other end of a tensile resilientresistance element 62. In this embodiment, the crossbar 34 and bracketof the movable user support 14 each include four slots 60; however, thenumber of slots 60 may be selected arbitrarily, depending on the totaldesired resistance, the width of the crossbar 34 and bracket, and thetotal amount of space required for each tensile resilient resistanceelement 62. The exerciser 10 may be operated with any number of tensileresilient resistance elements 62 installed in the slots 60.

The tensile resilient resistance elements 62 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2 are elastomeric cords with knobs 64 installed at the ends, so that theends may be seated in the slots provided for them. The tensile resilientresistance elements 62 may also comprise tension coil springs, rubberbands, or similar structures. Depending on the type of tensile resilientresistance elements 62, hooks or other receiving structures may be usedinstead of slots. As those of skill in the art will appreciate, one ofthe functions of the tensile resilient resistance elements 62 is to biasthe movable user support 14 to return to a position proximate to theballet barre assembly 16 when moved by the user away from the balletbarre assembly 16. However, particularly if the movable user support 14is inclined and able to move under the influence of gravity, theresilient resistance system may be omitted.

The exerciser 10 of FIG. 1 also carries an arm exercise system. Two pulllines 56 are connected to the underside of the movable user support 14.From the underside of the movable user support 14, the pull lines 56 aretrained over pulleys 58 that are carried by an upright bar 66 providedon the end of the exerciser opposite the foot support. The pulleys 58are adapted to swivel, so as to allow the user to pull the pull lines 56toward the ballet barre assembly 16 in a variety of planes of motion.The pulleys 58 are also releasably mounted on the upright bar 66 bymounting structure 68 so that their angle and orientation can be changedby the user.

From the pulleys 58, the pull lines 56 extend towards the ballet barreassembly 16, and are coupled to user grips 70 at their ends. Between theends of the pull lines 56 and the user grips 70, take-up fittings 72 areprovided. Each take-up fitting 72 has a number of holes 74 formed in it,such that if the pull lines 56 are too long, they may be wrapped aroundand through the take-up fittings 72 to reduce their effective lengths.When the user grips the user grips 70 and causes the pull lines 56 toextend, he or she is working against the force bias provided by thetensile resilient resistance elements 62. The arm exercise system,including the pull lines 56, pulleys 58 and associated structures may beomitted in various embodiments.

In some embodiments, the ballet barre assembly 16 may be adjusted to beengaged by the feet of a user, as in a conventional foot bar, so that auser of the exerciser 10 may push off of the ballet barre assembly 16 tomove the movable user support 14 in the opposite direction, away fromthe ballet barre assembly 16. As used herein, the term “feet” may referto both of the user's feet together or to one individual foot, andexercises using the feet described herein may be performed with onefoot, each foot alternately, or both feet simultaneously.

By the operation of the resilient resistance system, the movable usersupport 14 is constructed and arranged to absorb the energy of movementof the user on the movable user support 14 in a direction away from theballet barre assembly 16 and to convert that absorbed energy into amovement toward the ballet barre assembly 16.

The user may control the degree of resistive bias by changing the numberof tensile resilient resistance elements 62 that are connected betweenthe crossbar 34 and the movable user support 14. The pull lines 56 areconstructed and arranged such that forces applied in a direction towardthe ballet barre assembly 16 by the user's arms are converted intomovements of the movable user support 14 away from the ballet barreassembly 16. Alternatively, the user may control the position of themovable user support 14 solely by flexure of the legs against balletbarre assembly 16.

When the user is lying on the movable user support 14 in a supineposition with his or her head on the head rest 46, the user's feet arefree from the movable user support 14, and extend in a direction towardthe ballet barre assembly 16. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-3, in oneexample, the ballet barre assembly 16 includes a ballet barre 80 that issupported above a top plane of movement of the movable user support 14by a vertically extending support 90. The ballet barre 80, which is alsoknown as a plie bar or a horizontal bar, is understood to be typicallymade from wood, and used for various lower body stretching exercises, orin combination with various dance exercises, such as ballet movements.As described in greater detail below, while typically made from wood,barres such as ballet barre 80 may be made from other substances, suchas a metal, a composite material, or the like, which may then be coveredwith another substance like a rubber, foam, or plastic coating toenhance the utility of the ballet barre 80, and may provide padding forthe same. In other embodiments, the outer surface of the ballet barre 80may be rigid. As further discussed below, in an embodiment the balletbarre 80 may have a round cross section, and typically may beapproximately 2-6 cm in diameter, thereby providing an ergonomic surfacefor individuals engaging the ballet barre 80 during a workout. Othersizes of the ballet barre 80 are also possible in various embodiments.In the illustrated embodiment, the vertically extending support 90 isconfigured to raise the ballet barre 80 to a variety of positions abovethe endpiece 37, where it may be engaged by the feet or hands of a userof the exerciser 10. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment thevertically extending support 90 includes support legs 100 that areconfigured to be received in receptacles 110 in the endpiece 37.Although in the illustrated embodiment there are a pair of support legs100 that are received in a pair of corresponding receptacles 110 atopposite ends of the endpiece 37, in another embodiment, a singlesupport leg 100 may be provided, received in a single receptacle 110located in the endpiece 37, or elsewhere on the exerciser 10. In stillfurther embodiments, more support legs 100 may be provided. As shown inthe illustrated embodiment, a pair of securing knobs 120 are provided,each associated with each receptacle 110, so as to engage the supportlegs 100 to selectively prevent or otherwise hinder removal of theballet barre assembly 16 from the remainder of the exerciser 10.Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment the securing knobs 120 mayscrew into or out of the endpiece 37, thus engaging or disengaging acorresponding portion of the support legs 100 located therein. In someembodiments the support legs 100 may have a receptacle configured toreceive an engaging portion of the securing knobs 120, while in otherembodiments the engaging portion of the securing knobs 120 may tightenagainst the structure of the support legs 100 such that frictionprevents or otherwise hinders removal of the support legs 100 from thereceptacles 110. It may be appreciated that in some embodiments otherengagement mechanisms may be utilized in lieu of the securing knobs 120,such as clamps or engagement pins. In some embodiments, the engagementmechanism may have a quick release for rapid release of the ballet barreassembly 16. Additionally, it may be appreciated that in someembodiments the receptacles 110 may comprise poles or other engagementstructures that may be received in or otherwise couple to the supportlegs 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support legs 100 are coupled to oneanother by a connecting bar 130. Although optional, in such embodimentsthe connecting bar 130 may provide planar stability for the ballet barreassembly 16. Additionally, by coupling the support legs 100 together,there may be less of a chance that one of the support legs 100 could bemisplaced if decoupled from the ballet barre 80, as described in greaterdetail below. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the ballet barre80 is coupled to the support legs 100 by a pair of extension legs 140,which are configured to extend from the support legs 100 to extend theballet barre 80 to varying heights above the endpiece 37. Specifically,in the illustrated embodiment the extension legs 140 are slidablyreceived within the support legs 100, so that the ballet barre 80 may besupported above the endpiece 37 by both the height of the support legs100 and an extended amount of the extension legs 140. To secure theextension legs 140 at a desired amount of extension from the supportlegs 100, one or more engagement mechanisms may be provided to securethe extension legs 140 relative to the support legs 100. In theillustrated embodiment, extension knobs 150 are provided, eachassociated with each extension leg 140 and support leg 100. As shown,the extension knob 150 has a pin end that may extend through an aperture160 in the support leg 100 to an associated portion of the extension leg140. In some embodiments, an engaging portion of the extension knobs150, such as the pin, may press against the extension legs 140, so as tofrictionally secure the ballet barre 80 to the a desired height abovethe top plane of movement of the movable user support 14. It may beappreciated that in some embodiments other engagement mechanisms may beutilized in lieu of the extension knobs 150, such as clamps, compressioncollars, or engagement pins. In some embodiments, the engagementmechanism may have a quick release for rapid adjustment of the height ofthe ballet barre 80.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the extension legs 140 contain aplurality of apertures 160 therein, configured to receive the engagingportion (or pins) of the extension knobs 150. By receiving the engagingportions of the extension knobs 150 in associated ones of the pluralityof apertures 160, the extension legs 140 may be secured to the supportlegs 100 at a variety of positions, to raise the ballet barre 80 toassociated heights relative to the support legs 100. Increments betweenthe apertures 160 on each extension leg 140 may vary across embodiments,and may correspond to different increases in height for the ballet barre80. As indicated above, however, it may be appreciated that in someembodiments the adjustment may be infinitely variable (i.e. with africtional engagement between the support legs 100 and the extension leg140), and not reliant on incremental adjustments from spaced engagementregions, such as the plurality of apertures 160. It should beappreciated for this disclosure that the term “adjustment structure” asused herein may refer to a combination of apertures 160 and theextension knobs 150, a frictional engagement, or any other structureallowing the height of the ballet barre 80 to be selectively fixed at adesired height.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the ballet barre 80comprises a generally uniform cylindrical shape, with a circular crosssection. As shown in FIG. 4, however, other configurations of the balletbarre 80 are also possible. For example, the configuration of balletbarre 80 of FIGS. 1-3 is depicted in FIG. 4 as ballet barre 80 a. It maybe appreciated that the diameter of ballet barre 80 a may be of anysuitable size, including but not limited to being between 2-6centimeters in diameter. Similarly, ballet barre 80 b is of an oval orelliptical shape in cross section, and may have any appropriate sizes ofmajor and minor axes. The ballet barre 80 may also be of any otheruniform or simple geometric cross sectional shape. For example, balletbarre 80 c is of a rectangular shape. These shapes are merely exemplary,and any other shape may also be utilized. For example, ballet barre 80 ddepicts an ornamental geometric shape, with a generally flat top andcurved sides. Ballet barre 80 e similarly depicts another ornamentalconfiguration, however having a curved top portion. Additionally, whilein some embodiments end extremities of the ballet barre 80 may compriseflat faces, in other embodiments the end extremities may be rounded orotherwise decorated.

While in the embodiment of ballet barre assembly 16, the extension legs140 are received within the support legs 100, it may be appreciated thatin other embodiments the converse may be true. For example, FIG. 5depicts ballet barre assembly 170 coupled to exerciser 10. In anembodiment, elements of ballet barre assembly 170 may be generallysimilar to ballet barre assembly 16, as described above. For example, inthe illustrated embodiment of ballet barre assembly 170, support legs180 engage the exerciser 10. While the support legs 180 may be generallysimilar to support legs 100, it may be appreciated that support legs 180are slidably received within extension legs 190, so that a ballet barre200 may be positioned at various heights relative to the support legs180. It may be appreciated that in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5,the ballet barre 200 is similar to ballet barre 80 of FIGS. 1-3 (andrepresented as ballet barre 80 a in FIG. 4), having a circular crosssectional shape. In other embodiments, however, other shapes may beutilized in the ballet barre assembly 170. As shown in the illustratedembodiment, where the support legs 180 are received within the extensionlegs 190, engagement knobs 210 may pass through a portion of theextension legs 190 to engage a corresponding region of the support legs180. Likewise, in some embodiments apertures or other engagement regionsmay be formed in the support legs 180, to receive an engaging portion ofthe engagement knobs 210. As above, in various embodiments otherengagements may be utilized in lieu of the engagement knobs 210,including but not limited to pins, clamps, or compression collars, tofix the support legs 180 relative to the extension legs 190. As abovewith ballet barre assembly 16, in some embodiments the engagementbetween the support legs 180 and the extension legs 190 may include aquick release mechanism for rapid adjustment of the height of the balletbarre 200.

In some embodiments, such as that those illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, theballet barre 80 may contain recesses therein configured to receive anengaging end of the extension legs 140 therein. It may be appreciated,however that other engagements between the ballet barre 80 and theextension legs 140 are also possible in other embodiments. For example,in ballet bar assembly 170 of FIG. 5, the extension legs 190 terminateproximal to the ballet barre 200 at barre supports 220, which provide asurface area of support for the ballet barre 200. The ballet barre 200is then bolted through both the thickness of the ballet barre 200 andthe barre supports 220. In some embodiments, the barre supports 220 areshaped to match a contour of an engaging portion of the ballet barre200. For example, in FIG. 5, where the ballet barre 200 is of a circularcross section, the barre supports 220 may have an arcuate cross sectionthat matches the contour of the ballet barre 200. It may be appreciatedthat in some embodiments, the barre supports 220 may completely surroundthe ballet barre 200. Additionally, in various embodiments, theengagement between the ballet barre 200 and the receiving portion of theextension legs 190 (such as the barre supports 220) may be through anyappropriate mechanism, including but not limited to being bolted,screwed, or otherwise coupled by a mechanical fastener, or may be glued,welded, or otherwise adhered thereto.

In accordance with various embodiments of this disclosure, the balletbarre can be raised to approximately waist height of a standing user. Itmay be appreciated, however, that in various embodiments a user of theballet barre may alternatively use the ballet barre while standing onthe movable user support 14, or while standing on the support surface onwhich the exerciser 10 is residing. As such, it may be appreciated thatballet barre assemblies 16 and 170 are configured to selectively raiseballet barres 80 or 200 to varying waist heights of users standingadjacent to the exerciser 10 (e.g., when the frame 18 is raised abovethe support surface by the stand 20), or users standing on the movableuser support 14, by positioning extension legs 140 or 190 relative tosupport legs 100 or 180. For example, in various embodiments the balletbarres 80 or 200 may be raised so as to be selectively fixed at aposition that is greater than approximately 60 centimeters above thesupport surface. In an embodiment, the ballet barres 80 or 200 may beraised so as to be selectively fixed at a position that is greater thanapproximately 60 centimeters above the top plane of movement of themovable user support 14, which may be more than 60 centimeters above thesupport surface, due to a height of the frame 18 (and the stand 20,where present).

In more specific embodiments, the ballet barres 80 or 200 may be raisedso as to be selectively fixed at a position that is greater thanapproximately 75 centimeters above either the support surface or the topplane of movement of the movable user support 14. In some embodimentsthe ballet barres 80 or 200 may be fixed at respective positions thatare as high as approximately 130 cm above either the support surface orthe top plane of movement of the movable user support 14. For example,in some embodiments, the ballet barres 80 or 200 may be raised so as tobe fixed at respective positions that are between 60-130 centimetersabove either the support surface or the top plane of movement of themovable user support 14. In more specific embodiments, the ballet barres80 or 200 may be selectively fixed at respective positions that arebetween 80-100 cm above either the support surface or the top plane ofmovement of the movable user support 14. In more particular embodiments,the ballet barres 80 or 200 may be supported approximately 90 cm aboveeither the support surface or the top plane of movement of the movableuser support 14. It may be appreciated, however, that the ballet barres80 or 200 may also be adjusted from such waist-height positions toeither a greater or lesser height. Such adjustability may allow for agreater number of exercises to be performed on the exerciser 10 coupledto the ballet barre assemblies 16 or 170, as described in greater detailbelow.

As indicated above, in some embodiments the top plane of movement may beraised above the support surface for the exerciser 10 by the stand 20.Accordingly, it may be appreciated that in some embodiments the balletbarre assemblies 16 or 170 may be configured to support the balletbarres 80 or 200 at various heights inclusive or exclusive of the stand20, so that a user of the ballet barres 80 or 200 may position theballet barres 80 or 200 at a desired height regardless of whether theframe 18 is positioned on the stand 20. For example, in an embodimentwhere it is desirable to support the ballet barres 80 or 200 at avariable height approximately between 50-100 cm above the supportsurface, with the stand 20 raising the top plane of the movable usersupport 14 approximately 35-45 cm above the support surface, the balletbarre 80 or 200 may need only be supported approximately 5-65 cm abovethe top plane of movement for the movable user support 14 cm to coverthe same range, and thus the ballet barre assemblies 16 or 170 may beconfigured as such. In still another embodiment, the ballet barre 80 or200 is not adjustable on the ballet barre assembly 16 or 170, but isinstead fixed at a location that is at least 60 cm above the top planeof the movable user support 14.

It may additionally be appreciated that ballet barre assemblies 16 and170 optionally extend outward to opposing sides beyond the pair ofextension legs 140 or 190. For example, illustrated in FIG. 5 are barreends 230, which are out of a spatial volume defined by the range ofmovement of the movable user support 14. In some embodiments, barre ends230 may extend outwards approximately the width of a user's hands orlonger, to provide a surface to grasp. For example, in variousembodiments the barre ends 230 may each extend outward from, theextension legs 140 or 190 at least by 10 cm, and ideally betweenapproximately 10-30 cm, although it can extend beyond 30 cm as well. Itmay be appreciated that a user positioned on the user support pad 48 ofthe movable user support 14 may engage the ballet barre 200 with eitherof their extremities outside of the volume through which the remainderof their body may be in while moving the movable user support 14 towardsor away from the ballet barre assembly 170. Accordingly, because theballet barre 200 may extend outwards beyond the support legs 180 thatraise it above the exerciser 10, still more exercises may be performedon the exerciser 10, as also described below. As such, it may beappreciated that the ballet barre 200, including or excluding the barreends 230, may extend any appropriate length, including but not limitedto approximately between 60-120 cm long.

Depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B are the exerciser 10 having the ballet barreassembly 170 assembled thereon. As shown, the extension legs 190 arefixed relative to the support legs 180 so as to support the ballet barre200 at approximately the height of a waist W of a user U. As an exampleof an exercise facilitated by ballet barre assembly 170, by standing onthe user support pad 48 of the movable user support 14, the user U mayengage the ballet barre 200 with his either or both of his hands H, andpush off against the movable user support 14 with his/her feet F, tomove the movable user support 14 away from the ballet barre assembly170, against the resistance provided by the tensile resilient resistanceelements 62 to exercise either or both of his arms or back. Other suchexercises may also be performed with the ballet barre 200 at waistheight. For example, the user U may position one foot F against theballet barre 200, while his other foot F may remain on the user supportpad 48 of the movable user support 14, to conduct leg stretchingexercises against the resistance of the tensile resilient resistanceelements 62.

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict another exercise which may be performed on theexerciser 10 having the ballet barre assembly 170 assembled thereon. Inparticular, by engaging the ballet barre 200 with his hands H, the userU may position himself within the ballet barre assembly 170, hangingthrough a region defined by an inner portion of the ballet barre 200 ontop, the extension legs 190 and support legs 180 on either side, and theendpiece 37 on bottom, with his feet F engaging the movable user support14. While in some exercises the user U may grasp the center region ofthe ballet barre 200, during the illustrated exercise the user U graspsthe barre ends 230 thereof. By pushing on the movable user support 14against the resistance of the tensile resilient resistance elements 62,the user U may simultaneously exercise his arms A and his legs L. Due tothe height that the ballet barre 200 may be raised to, full extension ofthe arms A of the user U may be maintained throughout this exercise, ora pull up into and out of full extension of the arms A may be performed,with the feet F are pushing against the resistance of the tensileresilient resistance elements 62 to extend the legs L, as shown in FIG.7B.

While in the embodiments of the ballet barre assemblies 16, 170illustrated above, a minimum extension of the ballet barres 80, 200 maybe determined by the length of the support legs 100, 180, it may beappreciated that in other embodiments a greater range of motion for theballet barres may be facilitated by alternative support assemblies. Forexample, FIG. 8 illustrates a ballet barre assembly 240 configured to besupported on the endpiece 37 of the exerciser 10. The ballet barreassembly 240 includes support legs 250 that are received into thereceptacles 110 in the endpiece 37, and may be secured thereto by thesecuring knobs 120. Extending from the support legs 250 are stationarysupports 260 extending upward from the endpiece 37. Slidably mounted oneach of the stationary supports 260 is a slidable barre support 270,which is configured to support a ballet barre 280 thereon. As shown, theslidable barre support 270 is configured to slide generally from abottom end of the stationary supports 260 to a top end of the stationarysupports 260, facilitating a greater number of height possibilities forthe ballet barre 280. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a pair ofstationary supports 260 may support the ballet barre 280 therebetween,on the slidable barre supports 270. The slidable barre supports 270 maybe releasably fixed at associated heights on the stationary supports260, so as to raise the ballet barre 280 to a certain height above theexerciser 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, such releasable fixing is facilitated bythe engagement of adjustment knobs 290, positioned on the slidable barresupports 270, with apertures 300 formed on the stationary supports 260.While in some embodiments the adjustment knobs 290 may include threadedfasteners that extend into the apertures 300, in other embodiments theadjustment knobs 290 may frictionally engage the stationary supports260, or may include quick-release pins. By releasing the adjustmentknobs 290, a position of the ballet barre 280 relative to the endpiece37 of the exerciser 10 may be modified, by raising or lowering theslidable barre supports 270 on the stationary supports 260. In theillustrated embodiment, a crossbar 310 connects the support legs 250,which may prevent the stationary supports from separating if the balletbarre 280 (and the slidable barre supports 270) are removed therefrom.It may be appreciated that in some embodiments the slidable barresupports 270 may be removed from the stationary supports 260 by raisingthe slidable barre supports 270 to the top end of the stationarysupports 260, where there may be no obstruction preventing theirremoval. In other embodiments, however, a crossbar or other engagingpiece may prevent removal of the slidable barre supports 270. In someembodiments, the ballet barre assembly 240 may be considered orotherwise be part of a tower configuration. It may be appreciated thatin some embodiments the adjustment knobs 290 may extend directly throughthe stationary supports 260 into the ballet barre 280, such that theballet barre 280 is coupled directly to the stationary supports 260,without engagement through the slidable barre supports 270.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment facilitating a greater range ofmotion for the ballet barre. Specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates a balletbarre assembly 320 configured to be supported on the endpiece 37 of theexerciser 10. The ballet barre assembly 320 includes support legs 330that are received into the receptacles 110 in the endpiece 37, and maybe secured thereto by the securing knobs 120. Extending from the supportlegs 330 are stationary supports 340 extending upward from the endpiece37. The stationary supports 340 are configured to support pivotableballet barre supports 350, which contain at ends thereof a ballet barre360. As shown in the Figure, the assembly of the ballet barre 360 andthe ballet barre supports 350 may rotate about an axis X formed at thejoint between the ballet barre supports 350 and the stationary supports340, to facilitate pivotal movement of the ballet barre 360 relative tothe stationary supports 340. In the illustrated embodiment, securingknobs 370 selectively tighten the engagement between the ballet barresupports 350 and the stationary supports 340, so as to lock the balletbarre supports 350 at a certain angle α with respect to the stationarysupports 340. It may be appreciated, however, that in other embodimentslocking the ballet barre supports 350 at a variable angle α may bethrough other securing mechanisms.

In some embodiments, the ballet barre supports 350 (and thus the balletbarre 360) may rotate to either side of the stationary supports 340(i.e. either towards or away from the frame assembly 12 of the exerciser10). It may be appreciated that where the ballet barre 360 is rotatedaway from the frame assembly 12, a user may engage the ballet barre 360while standing on the same support surface that the exerciser 10 ispositioned on. As such, in some embodiments a height that the balletbarre 360 may be raised to, as described in greater detail below, mayagain be relative to the support surface for the exerciser 10, insteadof relative to the top plane of movement for the movable user support14.

Similarly to the ballet barre assemblies 16 and 170, the ballet barreassembles 240 and 320 are configured to selectively raise ballet barres280 or 360 to waist height of a user of exerciser 10 standing adjacentthereto, either on the movable user support 14 or on the supportsurface. For example, in various embodiments the ballet barres 280 or360 may be raised so as to be selectively fixed at a position that isgreater than approximately 60 centimeters either above the top plane ofmovement of the movable user support 14 or above the support surface. Inmore specific embodiments, the ballet barres 280 or 360 may be raised soas to be selectively fixed at a position that is greater thanapproximately 75 centimeters above the top plane of movement of themovable user support 14 or above the support surface. In someembodiments the ballet barres 280 or 360 may be fixed at positions thatare as high as approximately 130 cm either above the top plane ofmovement of the movable user support 14 or above the support surface.For example, in some embodiments, the ballet barres 280 or 360 may beraised so as to be fixed at a position that is between 60-130centimeters above either the top plane of movement of the movable usersupport 14 or the support surface. In more specific embodiments, theballet barres 280 or 360 may be selectively fixed at a position that isapproximately between 80 and 100 cm above the top plane of movement ofthe movable user support 14 or the support surface. In more particularembodiments, the ballet barres 280 or 360 may be supported approximately90 cm above either the top plane of movement of the movable user support14 or the support surface. It may be appreciated, however, that theballet barres 280 or 360 may also be adjusted from such waist-heightpositions to either a greater or lesser height. Such adjustability mayallow for a greater number of exercises to be performed on the exerciser10 coupled to the ballet barre assemblies 240 and 320, similarly tothose described above.

While in some embodiments, such as those depicted above, the balletbarre assemblies may be installed at the endpiece 37 of the exerciser 10(such that the movable user support 14 is biased towards the balletbarre thereof), in other embodiments, a ballet barre assembly may beadditionally or alternatively installed at the endpiece 36, such thatthe movable user support 14 is biased away from the ballet barrethereof. For example, FIG. 10 depicts the exerciser 10 including boththe ballet barre assembly 16 installed at the endpiece 37, as well as aballet barre assembly 380 installed at the endpiece 36.

In an embodiment, elements of ballet barre assembly 380 may be generallysimilar to one or more of ballet barre assemblies 16, 170, 240, or 320,as described above. In the illustrated embodiment, ballet barre assembly380 is generally similar to ballet barre assembly 16, and is configuredto support a ballet barre 390 above a top plane of movement for themovable user support 14 by a vertically extending support 400. Invarious embodiments, the ballet barre 390 may be generally similar tothe ballet barres 80, 200, 280, or 360. In the illustrated embodiment ofthe ballet barre assembly 380, the vertically extending support 400includes support legs 410 that engage the exerciser 10, and may begenerally similar to support legs 100. While in some embodiments supportlegs 410 may be non-removably attached to endpiece 36, in otherembodiments support legs 410 may be removably attached. In theillustrated embodiment, the support legs 410 are received in receptacles110 of the endpiece 36, and another pair of the securing knobs 120 areprovided and associated therewith, so as to engage the support legs 410to selectively prevent or otherwise hinder removal of the ballet barreassembly 380 from the remainder of the exerciser 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support legs 410, like the supportlegs 100, are coupled to one another by a connecting bar 420. Althoughoptional, in such embodiments the connecting bar 130 may provide planarstability for the ballet barre assembly 16. In the illustratedembodiment, the support legs 410 of the ballet barre assembly 380include thereon the pullies 58 supporting the pull lines 56, allowingthe ballet barre assembly 380 to replace that function of the uprightbar 66.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ballet barre assembly 380 may beotherwise similar in function and operation to the ballet barre assembly16. For example, extension legs 430 may be slidably received in thesupport legs 410, and may be secured by engagement knobs 440, which maypass through a portion of the support legs 410 to engage a correspondingregion of the extension legs 430. Furthermore, in some embodiments,apertures or other engagement regions, such as apertures 450 in theillustrated embodiment, may be formed in the extension legs 430, toreceive an engaging portion of the engagement knobs 440. As above, invarious embodiments other engagements may be utilized in lieu of theengagement knobs 440, including but not limited to pins, clamps, orcompression collars, to fix the extension legs 430 relative to thesupport legs 410. As above with ballet barre assembly 16, in someembodiments the engagement between the support legs 410 and theextension legs 430 may include a quick release mechanism for rapidadjustment of the height of the ballet barre 390. In other embodiments,the ballet barre assembly 380 may be otherwise similar in function andoperation to the ballet barre assemblies 170, 240, or 320. Likewise itmay be appreciated that the ballet barre assembly 380 may either beengaged by a user supported by the movable user support 14, or by a userstanding on the support surface supporting the exerciser 10, and that aheight of the ballet barre 390 may be adjusted accordingly depending onthe user's size, body type, comfort preference, or so on, as well asaccounting for presence or absence of the stand 20.

It may be appreciated that materials utilized in the exerciser 10 and inballet barre assemblies such as ballet barre assemblies 16, 170, 240,320, or 380 may vary across embodiments. In particular, in variousembodiments one or more components may be constructed of metal, wood,plastic, elastomer, or any other appropriate material. In someembodiments, for example, the ballet barres 80, 200, 280, 360, or 390may be constructed generally of wood, while other components of theballet barre assemblies 16, 170, 240, 320, or 380 may be constructedgenerally of metal and/or plastic. It may also be appreciated that thecomponents of the exerciser 10 and the ballet barre assemblies 16, 170,240, 320, or 380 may be formed or otherwise assembled by any suitableprocess. For example, components may be integrally formed together,welded together, coupled by machine elements or adhesion, or so on.Additionally, components of the exerciser 10 and the ballet barreassemblies 16, 170, 240, 320, or 380 may variously be hollow or solid intheir construction or configuration

As may be appreciated from the descriptions above, the exercisersincluding the ballet barres according to the present inventive conceptsprovide numerous advantages. For example, the user can perform exercisesin a supine or prone position, which is usually at least perceived to bemore comfortable by the user. Additionally, the type of exercises thatcan be performed on exercisers according to the invention may havecardiovascular, strength, and flexibility benefits. Furthermore, certainknown types of exercises, such as Pilates exercises, or other balletexercises, may be performed on exercisers according to the invention, ifdesired by the user.

Although certain embodiments have been described herein, those ofordinary skill in the art will realize that modifications may be madewithin the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exerciser comprising: a frame assembly; amovable user support disposed on the frame assembly and constructed andarranged to support an exercising person and allow the exercising personto move while in supported relation on the movable user support with anextremity of the exercising person free to be moved with respect to themovable user support; and a ballet barre assembly, said ballet barreassembly comprising: a ballet barre positioned to be engaged by theextremity of the exercising person supported on the movable usersupport; and support structure configured to support the ballet barre ata fixed position that is at least 60 centimeters above a plane ofmovement for the movable user support.
 2. The exerciser of claim 1,wherein the support structure comprises: a support leg coupled to theframe assembly; and an extension leg coupled to the ballet barre;wherein the extension leg and the ballet barre are movable relative tothe support leg to adjust the ballet barre in one of a plurality ofpositions.
 3. The exerciser of claim 2, further comprising lockingstructure configured to selectively lock the extension leg relative tothe support leg.
 4. The exerciser of claim 3, wherein said lockingstructure comprises a turn knob configured to selectively extend throughapertures in both the extension leg and the support leg to preventrelative motion therebetween.
 5. The exerciser of claim 2, wherein thesupport structure comprises a plurality of support legs and a pluralityof extension legs.
 6. The exerciser of claim 1, wherein the ballet barreextends to opposing sides of the support structure generallyperpendicular to directions of movement of the movable user support. 7.The exerciser of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment structureconfigured to selectively fix the ballet barre at a desired height. 8.The exerciser of claim 1, wherein the fixed position is between 60-130cm.
 9. The exerciser of claim 1, wherein the fixed position is between80-100 cm.
 10. The exerciser of claim 1, wherein the support structurecomprises: a stationary support coupled to and extending above an end ofthe frame assembly; and a slidable barre support configured to slidealong the stationary support, to adjust the ballet barre in one of aplurality of positions; wherein the slidable barre support is configuredto slide from a bottom end of the stationary support to a top end of thestationary support.
 11. The exerciser of claim 1, wherein the supportstructure comprises: a stationary support coupled to and extending abovean end of the frame assembly; and a pivotable ballet barre support,pivotally coupled to the stationary support; wherein the pivotableballet barre support is configured to pivot away from the frameassembly, to adjust the ballet barre in one of a plurality of positions.12. The exerciser of claim 1, wherein the ballet barre assembly ispositioned on an end of the frame assembly such that the movable usersupport is biased towards the ballet barre assembly.
 13. The exerciserof claim 1, wherein the ballet barre assembly is positioned on an end ofthe frame assembly such that the movable user support is biased awayfrom the ballet barre assembly.
 14. An attachment for an exerciser ofthe type including a movable user support disposed on a frame assemblyand constructed and arranged to support an exercising person and allowthe exercising person to move while in supported relation on the movableuser support with an extremity of the exercising person free to be movedwith respect to the movable user support, and a mounting structuredisposed on the frame assembly, the mounting structure being constructedand arranged to detachably mount the attachment to the frame structure,said attachment comprising: a ballet barre positioned to be engaged bythe extremity of the exercising person supported on the movable usersupport; and support structure configured to support the ballet barre ata fixed position that is at least 60 centimeters above a plane ofmovement for the movable user support.
 15. The attachment of claim 14,wherein the support structure comprises a support leg configured tofixedly couple to the mounting structure, and an extension legconfigured to fixedly couple to the ballet barre, wherein the extensionleg and the ballet barre are movable relative to the support leg toadjust the ballet barre in one of a plurality of positions.
 16. Theattachment of claim 15, further comprising locking structure configuredto selectively lock the extension leg relative to the support leg. 17.The attachment of claim 16, wherein said locking structure comprises aturn knob configured to selectively extend through apertures in both theextension leg and the support leg to prevent relative motiontherebetween.
 18. The attachment of claim 15, wherein the supportstructure comprises a plurality of support legs and a plurality ofextension legs.
 19. The attachment of claim 14, wherein the ballet barreextends to opposing sides of the support structure generallyperpendicular to directions of movement of the movable user support. 20.The attachment of claim 14, further comprising an adjustment structureconfigured to selectively fix the ballet barre at a desired height. 21.The attachment of claim 14, wherein the fixed position is between 60-130cm.
 22. The attachment of claim 14, wherein the fixed position isbetween 80-100 cm.
 23. The attachment of claim 14, wherein the supportstructure comprises: a stationary support coupled to and extending abovean end of the frame assembly; and a slidable barre support configured toslide along the stationary support, to adjust the ballet barre in one ofa plurality of positions; wherein the slidable barre support isconfigured to slide from a bottom end of the stationary support to a topend of the stationary support.
 24. The attachment of claim 14, whereinthe support structure comprises: a stationary support coupled to andextending above an end of the frame assembly; and a pivotable balletbarre support, pivotally coupled to the stationary support; wherein thepivotable ballet barre support is configured to, pivot away from theframe assembly, to adjust the ballet barre in one of a plurality ofpositions.
 25. The attachment of claim 14, wherein the exerciser isfurther of the type wherein the movable user support is biased towardsthe mounting structure, such that the movable user support is biasedtowards the attachment.
 26. The attachment of claim 14, wherein theexerciser is further of the type wherein the movable user support isbiased away from the mounting structure, such that the movable usersupport is biased away from the attachment.
 27. A method of enabling aperson to exercise comprising: providing a movable user support whichsupports an exercising person and allows the exercising person to movewhile in supported relation on the movable user support, with anextremity of the exercising person free to be moved with respect to themovable user support; and providing a ballet barre spaced from saidmovable user support in a position to be engaged by the extremity of theexercising person supported on the movable user support; wherein theballet barre is configured to be supported by a ballet barre assembly ata fixed position that is at least 60 centimeters above a plane ofmovement for the movable user support; and wherein movement of themovable user support is either in a first direction towards the balletbarre, or in a second direction away from the ballet barre.
 28. Themethod of claim 27, wherein the movable user support is configured suchthat movement thereof in the first direction is accomplishable bypressing the extremity against the ballet barre while another portion ofthe exercising person engages the movable user support.
 29. The methodof claim 27, wherein the ballet barre is supported such that theexercising person may position their body between the ballet barre andthe plane of movement for the movable user support.
 30. The method ofclaim 27, wherein the ballet barre is further configured to beadjustably supported at a plurality of heights above the plane ofmovement for the movable user support.
 31. The method of claim 30,further comprising adjusting the ballet barre to one of the plurality ofheights above the plane of movement for the movable user support. 32.The method of claim 31, wherein said ballet barre assembly includes asupport leg and an extension leg that are movable relative to oneanother, with the ballet barre fixedly coupled to the extension leg,wherein said adjusting comprises moving the ballet barre and extensionleg relative to the support leg, and locking the extension leg relativeto the support leg.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein said locking theextension leg relative to the support leg comprises screwing a turn knobthrough apertures in both the extension leg and the support leg toprevent relative motion therebetween.
 34. The method of claim 32,wherein the ballet barre extends to opposing sides of the extension leg,generally perpendicular to the first and second directions of movementof the movable user support.
 35. The method of claim 27, whereinmovement of the movable user support in the second direction is resistedby one or more resistance elements coupling the movable user support tothe ballet barre assembly.
 36. The method of claim 27, wherein the fixedposition is between 60-130 cm.
 37. The method of claim 27, wherein thefixed position is between 80-100 cm.
 38. The method of claim 27, whereinthe movable user support is biased in the first direction towards theballet barre.
 39. The method of claim 27, wherein the movable usersupport is biased in the second direction away from the ballet barre.